Kansas City Schools Run Student-Staffed Restaurants Open to Public
In a unique approach to education, several Kansas City schools are operating student-run restaurants. The program aims to provide hands-on experience for students interested in culinary careers and encourages community participation as patrons of these school-based eateries.
Shawnee Mission School District’s Broadmoor Bistro
The Broadmoor Bistro, located in Overland Park, Kansas, within a school building, is run by culinary students from Shawnee Mission School District. Here, students learn all aspects of running a successful food business – from practical cooking skills to understanding the business and marketing side.
Every Wednesday, the students host a three-course dinner for 120 guests, who are treated to dishes like panang curried short ribs, lobster gnocchi, and black forest pot de creme. The aim is for students to manage the restaurant under the guidance of their teachers and learn to operate under high pressure, typical of the culinary industry.
Raytown School District Culinary Program: Cinder
Apart from individual school districts, a collaborative program called Cinder by the Herndon Career Center serves students from the Center, Grandview, Hickman Mills, Independence, and Lee’s Summit districts. Here, students learn the nitty-gritty of restaurant operations for two and half hours a day, five days a week.
The program targets students interested in culinary careers, equipping them with the necessary experience to run a restaurant, manage the kitchen, front of house, and even preparation work. Apart from serving the internal school community, these students open their doors to the public once a month for a multi-course meal, with reservations quickly filling up since its start in August.
Kansas City Public Schools’ Cardinal Cafe
The Cardinal Cafe forms an integral part of the Manual Career and Technical Center, a hub for Kansas City Public Schools students. The cafe is frequented by district teachers and employees, serving coffee, freshly baked pastries, breakfast, and lunch. The students running the cafe are involved in a wide array of roles, from learning cooking basics to working the front of the house and interfacing directly with guests.
Olathe School District’s Les Arts Culinaires
In a more formal setup, students of the Olathe School District’s culinary program operate Les Arts Culinaires. The program emphasizes giving students wide exposure to the culinary industry with a hands-on approach. Once a month, they host a banquet dinner, which provides these budding chefs with the experience of dealing with reservations, seating arrangements, and serving guests.
North Kansas City School District’s Class Act Coffee
Much more than just a kitchen, North Kansas City School District’s Class Act Coffee is also a training ground for aspirant entrepreneurs. From creating a brand voice to managing operations and serving as baristas, students are involved in every aspect of running this coffee shop. Apart from serving delicious brews, the cafe encourages an array of interests – with art students contributing to design and mathematics students helping with finance.
In these culinary classrooms across Kansas City, students are not only learning valuable culinary skills but also discovering their passion, honing their talents, and gaining a deep practical understanding of the food industry. By opening their doors to the public, they also forge a unique bond with the community, driving deeper engagement with education and fostering brighter futures for the culinary industry.
